Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Feb 12: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has indicted the state government for “time and cost overruns” in the implementation of various Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme projects, and said the financial implication worked out to a hefty Rs 3,157.97crore.
The performance audit showed that despite the matter being brought to the attention of the government earlier, these projects suffered time and cost overrun due to delay in acquisition of land, finalisation of drawing and design and clearance of site, said the CAG report on economic sector for the financial year that ended March 2014. The report was submitted to the state assembly by finance minister Pradip Kumar Amat Thursday.
The report on state finances, general social sector and economic sector highlighted several loopholes that emerged from the CAG audit in key area such as finance, works, industries, irrigation, agriculture, water resources, forest and environment and employment and technical education and training sectors. On the fiscal position of the state, it said that while Orissa continued to maintain revenue surplus, the fiscal and primary surplus of the previous year turned into a deficit during 2013-14. “Revenue surplus decreased to 3,329crore during 2013-14 from Rs 5,699crore in 2012-13,” it said.
The report said the state’s annual growth rate has increased only by two per cent during the year 2013-14. “Revenue receipt showed progressive increase from Rs 26,430crore in 2009 to Rs 48,947crore in 2013-14, registering a growth of 85 per cent. Yet, the annual growth rate has increased by two per cent from nine per cent in 2012-13 to 11 per cent during 2013-14,” the report said.
It also reported that the expenditure rate of state decreased by two per cent in 2013-14 compared to 2009-10. “Revenue expenditure had a predominant share of 87 per cent of total expenditure in 2009-10.”
